Louisiana Purchase

1
Louisiana Purchase
1803
2
As president, Thomas Jeffersons greatest
accomplishment was purchase of the vast Louisiana
Territory from France. More than doubling the
size of the United States, the acquisition made
continental expansion inevitable. Soon the
country would stretch from sea to sea.
3
You remember the musical chairs way Arkansas
changed owners-belonging first to the mighty
Spanish empire, then the mightier French empire,
then the Spanish again. Well, the music wasnt
over.
4
(No Transcript)
5
Jefferson feared that France would close the
Mississippi River to U. S. commerce. The action
would affect thousands of Americans who had
settled west of the Appalachian mountains since
Daniel Boone first carved the Wilderness Road in
1775. These western farmers floated their crops
to market on the Mississippi River.
6
As protection, Jefferson had Congress
authorize a 2,000,000 offer to buy the port city
of New Orleans from France. To everyones
amazement Napoleon offered to sell all of
Louisiana-and for only 15,000,000! French
foreign minister Talleyrand explained why.
7
(No Transcript)
8
Overjoyed at the spectacular deal, Jefferson
realized the Constitution did not provide for
such a purchase, so he suggested an amendment.
Congress warned there was no time, so he
reluctantly adopted a Hamiltonian loose
construction position, arguing for implied
powers. Congress quickly voted approval. But not
everyone agreed with the purchase.
9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)